Coach Andrew McDonald has declared David Warner remains firmly in Australia's plans for February's tour of India, adamant the opener's lack of runs is not a cause for concern.
Warner will enter the Test series against South Africa on Saturday at the Gabba as the Australian under the most pressure, with his century drought dating back to January 2020.
The 36-year-old has indicated his desire to play on in red-ball cricket until at least the end of next year's Ashes, having never won a Test series in India or England.
Warner is averaging 23 in Test cricket this year.
He holds a similar average (24.25) across two tours of India in 2013 and 2017, while he struggled through the 2019 Ashes in England.
"At this stage, we've got him in our plans for India," McDonald said.
"We'll see what happens in the next three Test matches, but at this stage he's firmly in our thoughts for India."
Warner is set to play his 100th Test at the MCG on Boxing Day, and admitted before the start of the summer he knew he needed runs to keep the pressure off.
In four innings against West Indies he made scores of five, 48, 21 and 28, while three times getting out to balls wide of off stump.
But McDonald said there were no concerns around Warner's ability to bounce back.
"His appetite for the work, in and around training, is still there," the coach said.
"He's busy at the crease, and you've seen signs that he is going well.
'He's just found different ways to get out, and sometimes that can happen. He's eager to continue on at this stage, he hasn't hinted anything else."
McDonald said he was prepared to give Warner time, as questions circulate over whether the player is finished at the top level or simply going through a poor run of form.
"If we keep picking him and he makes runs, then you know he's back," he said.
"And if you keep picking him and he doesn't, then he's probably on the fade.
"It's as simple as that."
Warner's series against West Indies coincided with frustration over the handling of the review into his lifetime leadership ban, which exploded on the night before the Adelaide Test.
Steve Smith admitted on Sunday it may have distracted Warner, but McDonald said the opener had always been able to put drama to the side.
"He's great at compartmentalising, separating the off-field from the on-field. Most of the great champions do that very well," McDonald said.
"I sense this situation is not different."
